Updates from Monday 30 November to Sunday 6 December
A man has died after suffering a medical episode following a minor two-car crash, police say.
Police officers were called to the incident on Bank Street, Brierley Hill at 08:15, said West Midlands Police.
It's understood the man in his 70s was taken to hospital where he later "sadly died," said the force.
A swan has been rescued after getting her head stuck between some railings in Walsall.
Image source, RSPCAThe stricken cygnet was spotted by a member of the public on the corner of Dudley Street and Bath Street and they alerted the RSPCA.
Animal rescue inspector Vicki Taylor said: “The cygnet must have gone off exploring and flew into the yard but then she would have been unable to have enough room to take flight from the area.
“She must have decided to put her head through the railings and obviously got stuck."
The cygnet was taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire, for a check-up and is expected to be released back into the wild this week.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Mark Cardwell
Plans for 2,000 homes on a current bus depot site have been approved by councillors in Birmingham.
Image source, HUB, shedkm Architects and UniformDevelopers HUB were granted permission by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee for outline plans for 1,250 canal-side homes and 950 student apartments at the site today.
The outline plans include buildings measuring from six to 25 storeys, and public space, including a new canal-side square named Bordesley Wharf.
Also part of the hybrid application were detailed plans for the first phase – involving the first 213 apartments at the site on Adderley Street, Digbeth which is currently used by National Express.
Work to clear and straighten part of the River Lugg has been called a "crime against the environment" by the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust.
It said a 1.5km (1 mile) stretch has been intentionally "bulldozed, straightened and reprofiled into a sterile canal, with all bankside and riverside habitats completely obliterated."
Image source, Herefordshire Wildlife TrustHelen Stace, the CEO of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust said she wanted an immediate investigation and added the "assault on the river" would have "dire consequences for wildlife and water quality downstream".
West Mercia Police said it was working with the Environment Agency to look into what has happened.
A list of 53 vaccine hubs in England has been released by the NHS.
They will help coordinate the delivery of jabs in their areas, with vaccinations for the most vulnerable set to begin next week.
Image source, ReutersA further list of sites which will store and administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine during the first phase will be published later, it said.
Across the West Midlands they include:
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the first to be approved by the MHRA medicines regulator, needs to be stored at -70C and hospitals already have the facilities to ensure that.
A construction site is being prepared for a tunneling machine to dig under a Warwickshire wood as part of the HS2 high-speed rail project.
Image source, HS2 Ltd
Image source, HS2 LtdThe machine will excavate a one-mile twin tunnel under Long Itchington wood before the route heads north and links to Birmingham's Curzon Street Station.
The 2,000-tonne tunnel boring machine is due for delivery on site in early 2021, with the tunnel set to be completed by mid 2022.
The tunnel will be around 9-10 metres in diameter, said HS2 Ltd.
Fans were allowed back to watch Shrewsbury Town in action against Accrington Stanley, but were limited to 2,000.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, PA Media
Image source, ReutersShrewsbury fan Paul Williams said he thought the atmosphere at Montgomery Waters Meadow for the 2-2 draw was good.
"It's just a relief to be be back," said the 50-year-old Williams, who watched the game with his mother and two sons.
"There's only 2,000 but there's still a bit of an atmosphere and I'm sure that helps the players."
The work of 21 "Coventry Heroes", external is being celebrated by the team behind the 2021 City of Culture events.
They've all been chosen for their contributions to the local community and will represent the city during next year's celebrations.
Image source, Coventry City of Culture TrustPhotographs of the 21 are being displayed in city centre shop windows from today, and all the nominees will have a bauble with their name on it hung on Christmas trees in the city centre.
They include a shopkeeper who delivers groceries and prescriptions to the elderly and vulnerable, a DJ who gives up some of his evenings to play records and games with the local community and a man who maintains a quiet patch of woodland as a haven for people during lockdown.
Three DJs from Birmingham will be among guest presenters for Radio 1 over the festive period, it's been announced.
From Boxing Day until New Year's Day, 33 new faces will take over the airwaves in the station's second guest-presenter takeover.
The station put the call out for DJs and presenters in October.
"I can't wait to hear our latest batch of presenters on air over the festive period, and I look forward to seeing what 2021 has in store for them all," says Head of Radio 1 Aled Haydn Jones.
The list of presenters include:
Local Democracy Reporting Service
A Walsall primary school is hoping to get approval for five new classrooms, allowing it to take in another 120 children.
Christ Church CE Primary in Harden Road, which already teaches 354 pupils, would also look to take on another eight members of staff.
Image source, GoogleSome neighbours have objected, complaining it will bring extra noise, traffic and parking issues, but a report going before Walsall Council's planning committee next week recommends the application is approved.
It said the expansion was needed to cope with the expected increase in student numbers.
The car was found partly submerged in the river by a member of the public.
Read MoreThe Birmingham Edgbaston MP, Preet Kaur Gill, has been named "MP of the Year" by The Patchwork Foundation.
It was set up to involve young people and under-represented communities in democracy
The organisation said she had "broken many barriers" since becoming the first female Sikh MP and "consistently championed young people and fought for a politics that represents everyone."
And she tweeted this, shortly afterwards:
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The Severn Valley Railway is launching its Steam in Lights trips this evening, with illuminated trains.
The Santa Trains start on Saturday.
Heritage line hopes lights offer financial relief
The heritage railway, which has had to close during the two lockdowns this year, was awarded nearly £1m from the government's Culture Recovery Fund.
It said said family groups would be in private compartments for the trips.
The Worcestershire coroner recorded a verdict of suicide at an inquest into the death of Paul Dance.
Read MoreHere are three stories from the Shropshire Star today:
Police are pulling over motorists in Congleton and Crewe today who are driving too closely to cyclists.
Cheshire Police said it follows a number of fatal collisions in the county involving people on bikes.
Image source, Getty ImagesToday's operation focuses on Nantwich Road in Crewe and Clayton bypass in Congleton.
Local Democracy Reporting Service
A three year ban on barbeques, fires and sky lanterns could be introduced on the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council wants to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order to enforce the ban and its cabinet agreed on Tuesday to consult on the idea.
Image source, GoogleA report to Tuesday’s meeting said the majority of fires on the moorland were started by arson, discarded cigarettes, barbecues and campfires.
A man who died after being hit by a car in Quinton last week has been named by police as Nicholas Brown.
The 46-year-old was struck by a Volkswagen Golf on Hagley Road West, at about 22:00 on Friday.
"Despite the best efforts of emergency services he was sadly confirmed dead at the scene," West Midlands Police said.
The family of Mr Brown said: “Nicholas was a loving son and brother, a much loved husband and a devoted father to his sons."
A 30-year-old man arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and being unfit through drink or drugs has since been released under investigation.
Wolves are hopeful striker Raul Jimenez will be able to leave hospital "early next week" following his head injury at Arsenal last weekend.
The 29-year-old Mexico international sustained a fractured skull following a clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz.
He was given oxygen on the pitch before being taken to hospital for surgery.
Wolves doctor Matt Perry said on Wednesday that Jimenez "has been recovering well in hospital".
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Eight flats could be bought in Hereford city centre by Herefordshire Council, to stop homeless people currently in emergency housing from returning to the streets.
The local authority also plans to refurbish two houses, at a cost of £1.5m, with £420,000 coming from the government.
At the moment, 62 people in Herefordshire are in emergency housing provided during the pandemic.
The council’s cabinet will discuss the measures today.
